• The Chicago Bulls clinched the Eastern Conference top seed with last night's 11-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and will face the mighty Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. The Talents of South Beach and the Boston Celtics will play a consolation game on Sunday. [Chicago Tribune] (Photo H/T Zachff)

• "Irish sensation" Rory McIlroy remained atop the Masters leaderboard. He shot 3-under yesterday to go to -10 overall. Some dude from Australia named Jason Day is in second, two strokes behind the leader. An American guy with questionable taste in sidepiece selection is tied for third. You'll hear a bit about him this weekend. [New York Times]

• Atlanta's Chipper Jones got the 2,500th hit of his career last night. His 2,499th, however, played an integral part in the Braves's 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, a game in which they pummeled Cliff Lee. [Atlanta Journal Constitution]

• Say what you will about Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler, but if you question his toughness, he'll wait 10 weeks and fire back with some fightin' words like this: "As for active players who railed against him, Cutler said, 'They can think what they want.'" Oh no he di'int. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Not eight weeks after Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler's manliness was called into question after a …
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• When the Strong Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins last did ice battle, 346 penalty minutes and suspensions resulted. They were back in the same rink last night. Eric Godard and Trevor Gillies got to scrapping within the first nine minutes. Video on the link. [Puck Daddy]

• Buffalo Sabre Nathan Gerbe's spinorama goal tied last night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period. They went on to win it in overtime, on a night where they needed a point to clinch a playoff berth. They did so in what could end up being a preview of a first-round matchup. [Buffalo News]

A mere seven days ago, the existence of the Grand Rapids Griffins rail-dancing fan was confirmed.…
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• David Beckham was on a Santa Monica beach to film a Pepsi ad with Sofia Vergara. The three trick shots he allegedly performed with a soccer ball in no way justify Vergara not appearing in this video. But, if real and unenhanced, Beckham's shots are pretty damn good. [Sportpost]